Bulgarian Attack Kills Israelis

Bulgarian Attack Kills Israelis

A terror attack aimed at Israeli tourists in Bulgaria has claimed the lives of seven and wounded scores of others. The victims had just boarded a tour bus at Sarafovo Airport in the city of Burgas when an explosion ripped through the vehicle carrying 47 Israeli passengers.

According to media reports, of the 33 people wounded, three are in critical condition. Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which has yet to release the names of the deceased, has been fielding calls from concerned family members, and Chabad-Lubavitch Rabbi Chaim Tvardovitz established a local crisis center for Israelis in the area.

The rabbi has visited the wounded in the hospital and is working to ensure the bodies of the slain are cared for according to Jewish law. The Israeli trauma organizations ZAKA and Magen David Adom are also on their way to the country to bring back the deceased.

Over in Sofia, Chabad-Lubavitch Rabbi Yosef and Tamar Salamon, co-directors of the Rohr Chabad Community Center boarded a plane to Burgas to assist the shaken community of Israeli tourists.

“We’re on our way there,” said Tamar Salamon.

Bulgarian President Rosen Pleneliev is also headed to Burgas from Sofia, as is the Israeli Ambassador to Bulgaria Shaul Kamisa-Raz and the Bulgarian Ambassador to Israel Yuri Sterk.

Chabad-Lubavitch Rabbi Yossi and Racheli Halperin of Varna are in Israel and are trying to return home tomorrow to help. As of now, no flights are taking off from Israel to Bulgaria.

“Our prayers are with the families of those slain and with those wounded by this unspeakable tragedy,” said Tvardovitz. “We are here to help and assist in any way necessary.”